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In Memoriam

Mrs. Hiroko Sato

1944 – 2018

Mrs. Hiroko Sato, wife of Reverend Sato and ‘temple mother’ of our Sangha passed away on 8th December 2018, the anniversary day of the founding of Three Wheels.

 

Hiroko-san’s quiet, tireless work was central to the day-to-day running of the temple for many years, but she was also beloved as a wise teacher and mentor, and known for her kindness and unconditional welcome towards anyone who visited.

 

On her deathbed she repeated to all who visited her, “I am very happy”, “Absolutely satisfied”, “There is nothing to regret”, “Thank you very much for all that you have done for me” and “I continue to live in the Nenbutsu. I live on in the Nenbutsu forever together with you”.

 

In his eulogy, Venerable Chimyo Takehara gave Hiroko-sama the posthumous Buddhist name “Shakyamuni’s Disciple, Good Nun Wonderful Seed”, describing her as an exemplary nun whose shining example planted wonderful seeds in the hearts and minds of others. “The truth of the Buddha Dharma regenerates itself in the mind of the receiver, he added, “ The source of this regeneration stems from a realm we cannot see with our eyes […] Hiroko san in the Pure Land, please continue to illumine us from this day forward.”

Prof. John White

1924 – 2021

Professor John White, a founding member of Three Wheels and Honorary Secretary of the London Shogoji Trust, passed away while working at his desk, at the temple, on 6th November 2021. An esteemed art historian, former Vice-Provost and Professor Emeritus of UCL, his life course changed radically after he met the head priest of Shogyoji, Venerable Chimyo Takehara, in November 1992. Thereafter John dedicated his life to spiritual exchange between British and Japanese people, the accurate transmission of Shin Buddhist teaching to English speakers, and the development of the Three Wheels Sangha. Together with his dearest friends Reverend Kemmyo Taira Sato and Hiroko Sato, he helped to lay the very foundations of the Three Wheels Sangha both physically and spiritually.

 

 

One of Professors White’s greatest contributions to Three Wheels was his design and creation of its unique Zen Garden, which Ven. Chimyo Takehara says, is a symbol of his being, of his true body. It will continue to be lovingly raked and maintained, preserving its purity. It was the creation of the Zen Garden that began an ever-widening process of encounter between East and West that continues to grow and develop, fulfilling Professor White’s innermost wish for true international friendship and exchange.

 

 

Ven. Chimyo Takehara tells us that Professor White continues to work for us as an eternal Bodhisattva from the true world of Dharma-nature who will endlessly manifest himself as, “that innermost core of sincerity within everyone protecting this Dharma garden, and will thereby make the fulfillment of the Pure Land adornments ever clearer for all of us”

 

 

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Fragrant Light
No. 70

The Head Priest said, “The most important thing for us is a change of attitude. Rather than being content to suffer just as we are, we should want to listen to the Buddha-dharma in order to solve the problems we face, however trivial they may seem.”